craigowl

I was 59 a couple of weeks ago. I suppose the prize is a fortnight in Cleethorpes with Norah Batty. 2002-04 - Corrado VR6 (2nd owner) 1991-2004 - Peugeot 205GLD (new) 2000-2002 Mk2 Golf GTI (4th owner) 1981-2000 - Three Polos (Mk1 GLS then Mk2 Formel E, then Mk3 1.3 GLS) all from new 1978-81Cavalier 1.6GL (new) 1975-78 Citroen Dyane (new) 1972-1978 Opel Manta "A" 1.6 (new £1389) 1970-72 Reliant Van (new) 1968-1972 Honda 50 (new) 1966-1970 Austin 1100 (wife's car - new, cost about £750) 1962-1974 Rattray (of Glasgow) L'Ecosse racing cycle (new - £26.50)

First car I've had where I have refused to add up what I've spent on it. Being retired, I know the sums would show that you really do go loopy as you get older!

What preventative maintenance (lube?) can you take to prevent sunroof problem? Can anyone detail the bits to grease/oil for me? Gives me the creeps how often I read about this pesky nightmare!

Bit of a damp squib in the end. Pity that the chase at the finale didnt involve the C in some way, perhaps the old Merc was cheaper to involve in the stunts.

I am almost certain one of the characters in this show owns a black Corrado. Only a couple of glimpses so far. He's a right shady b.....d with an earring! Program runs from 2100-2230. Not my choice of viewing - the wife's!

Thanks Joe and kevhaywire, I'm with you.

Speaking as a beginner to the VR6 bits and pieces, where is the throttle body please, guys?

Yes, VW stealerships have reached an all time low. My son bought a Lupo GTI demonstrator from a firm with whom he had spent many hundreds of £ on trying to keep a Corrrado VR6 going. He finally paid £600 for a cylinder head skim job on the VR6 which did not solve the original problem, and they were stumped as to what to do next, so he had to buy another car as it was vital for his job. They wouldn't even give a discount and the Lupo - the number of things that were wrong with it - it clearly had not had an inspection before being delivered to him. All this hassle for something costing about £12k. Among other things, the car, which does not have a spare wheel of any kind, lacked the standard tyre-inflating aerosol. As we know, demonstrators are usually a handy source of spares for dealership mechanics when the parts department experience the common problem of being unable to get spares for new models. Replacement window regulators were awaited and fitted twice and failed twice - common problem he was told. There are a couple of decent individuals in the dealership but there is a lack of co-ordination at this chrome and glass palace. Shifting new cars and doing easy services seems to be the raison d'etre. We hate having to use the stealership but there are much fewer VW specialists up here.

dr mat said Not too bad, considering the technology on offer. Plus there's just four valves (total), four spark plugs, and a couple of small turbos. I must admit, even in the 70's, to the mechanically minded, the simplicity and high-revving smoothness of the rotaries was very attractive. I am sure that those with money to burn at that time were not put off by the increasing rumours of rotor tip wear and high fuel consumption. Unfortunately I could not include myself amongst them.

I took my K&N panel filter out and put VW original back in VR6 after a "technical expert" said oil mist from the K&N will affect smooth running of engine eventually. I expect some of you will say bolx. I'd be grateful to hear some of your experiences and theories

Have they cured the unacceptable engine wear problems that eventually killed the enthusiasm generated by Mazda rotaries (and the NSU Ro80) first time around in the 1970s? People ended up putting 6-cylinder Granada engines (I think) into the Ro80, which was, by all accounts, a beautiful car until the engine wear set in, errr...somewhat quickly.

Yes, I got this stuff, was amazed at how quick the job could be done due to the liquid being more runny than the normal cream. It's just like water really. I nearly put a note on the website but then thought - "No, some smartass will probably tell me it starts to dissolve green paint after about 3 months!" (Only kidding! you experts who have tried absolutely everything and know of all the snags under the sun, and then some!) By the way, I ended up with a Turtle Wax foam upholstery cleaner as the hurried get-one-free choice in Halfords. Not bad.

Thanks Dinkus. I can see the light now - the new wipers must be working already!

Am I right in thinking - Drivers side - get the part you describe above (does it include a blade? if not what blade do you use?) For the passenger's side, what Lupo GTI part(s) do you get? - do you get an arm and a blade? I cant be bothered faffing about with drilling and sawing bits, by the way. My original wipers don't seem to have the problems described by other Corrado owners (including my son who changed his Corrado VR6 for a Lupo GTI!)

When my 1995 VR6 with 96k on the clock became useless due to being unable to select 3 of the gears (1st, reverse and 3rd. I think) - the AA engineer (ex-VW mechanic) I had called out located the problem right away as a broken plastic linkage visible under the bonnet and located near the gear box. He temporarily repaired it with superglue and a plastic tie. (Best gearchange ever with that!! - even after the proper repair!) I had forseen visions of gearbox meltdown, but at the end of the day a stealership bill of £61.49 cured the fault. The part was called a carrier and is number 1J0711256 costing £7.33 plus VAT. As is often the case, the plastic becomes brittle under the hot conditions near the engine. Brilliant engineering once more by VW.

My son's VR6 had a small leak from top-up reservoir. Only found after close-up examination. Internal pressure and deterioration of plastic under hot conditions and ageing must make this a common candidate.

Spot on, Scott! (or should that be spots off Scott?) I do very similar. Use Autoglym engine cleaner, gentle hose and bottle brush, then spray wet engine as recommended, with Autoglym rubber and vinyl protector as rec. by Autoglym. Been doing this for about 3 years on 2 cars. No problems. I have never used stinkin Gunk since it got into the bearing of a Citroen alternator almost 30 years ago - result - constant dry bearing squeak - I chose to replace the alternator - it was for a Dyane - pretty cheap. The original tin of Gunk still sits on a shelf in the garage - mostly neglected!

thanks guys. I bet mine has not been changed in 9 years.

As a newbie to Cs and, almost certainly, a thickie, too, where can i find the fuel filter on my 95 VR6 (97k)? Any difficulties in getting to it and removing it? Ta in advance for any help, guyz.

Kevhaywire - Is this worth doing after 97k on a car which has probably never had it done. The engine runs fine and you always worry about the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" message. However, most of us are compulsive tinkerers as you know. (A good reason why many Corrado bonnet cables fail?)

Another point of interest to me too. My serpentine belt has probably been on for the 97k miles. It has hairline cracks all over it. Presumably I need to replace it. --PhatVR6 - Is this the belt you can do a good tensioner for? - If so I will probably buy one from you and return the original to you. If you have a belt too at less than the stealers price of X-10% discount I will take that, too.

Interesting questions here from my point of view as a novice to the Corrado. My Samco hose kit is all fitted bar one small s-shaped hose which is supposed to fit in this breather valve area. The samco hose lacks the 3 components the original has. What's the score? Surely you cannot dispense with the functions the original hose incorporates? Any advice guys?

Yes, my son's 1994 VR6 developed fuel line leaks and had to have them replaced.

Agree with Dr Mat - I was concerned about how the newly fitted Samco hoses which omit a flow regulator from one hose would fare so on a 140 mile run mostly at 60-85mph yesterday. I saw that the oil temp didnt exceed 104C and the water 85C. I would say these are normal figures for ambient outside temp of 18C. Hotter weather in the south, revs over 4000pm and pulling uphill increase these figures, but I would say something is not right with your VR6, "Chaos"

Esure wife+self (well over 50s) market value (anybody got any comments on this - personally i dont think it will be great) annual mileage 2500 ncd protection 7yrs no claims £231